Interbody fusion device

Abstract

Devices for fixing interbody fusion devices to bone by helically or corkscrew-shaped elements are provided. Methods for surgically implanting an interbody fusion device using helically-shaped fixation wire are provided.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method for treating a spine, comprising:
 inserting an interbody spacer between two vertebral bodies; 
 engaging a distal tip of a helically-shaped wire with a notch at an interface with a hole of a plate, wherein the notch extends a helically shaped groove to a proximal surface of the plate, the notch and the helically shaped groove directly formed in the plate; and 
 engaging the helically-shaped wire with the helically shaped groove and into a vertebral body adjacent to the interbody spacer, wherein the notch directs the initial placement of the distal tip of the helically-shaped wire into the vertebral body. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising maintaining a fully inserted position of the helically-shaped wire in the vertebral body. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising limiting further rotation of the helically-shaped wire. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising limiting further insertion of the helically-shaped wire. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising limiting further movement of the helically-shaped wire. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising engaging a feature of the helically-shaped wire with the notch. 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the helically shaped groove comprises a rounded inner surface. 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the helically shaped groove and the helically-shaped wire each comprises coils which are spaced the same distance apart. 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising engaging a second helically-shaped wire with a second helically shaped groove of the plate. 
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the helically-shaped wire comprises clockwise turns. 
     
     
       11. A method for treating a spine, comprising:
 inserting at least a portion of an implant between two vertebral bodies; 
 engaging a distal tip of a helically-shaped fixation device with a notch at an interface with a proximal surface of the implant, wherein the notch provides a rotational starting point for the distal tip; and 
 engaging the distal tip of the helically-shaped fixation device with a helical groove directly formed in the implant, wherein the helical groove provides a rotational ending point for the distal tip such that the distal tip contacts a vertebral body at a pre-determined angle. 
 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 11 , further comprising maintaining a fully inserted position of the helically-shaped fixation device in the vertebral body. 
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 11 , further comprising limiting further rotation of the helically-shaped fixation device. 
     
     
       14. The method of  claim 11 , further comprising limiting further insertion of the helically-shaped fixation device. 
     
     
       15. The method of  claim 11 , further comprising limiting further movement of the helically-shaped fixation device. 
     
     
       16. The method of  claim 11 , wherein the helically-shaped fixation device comprises spaced apart adjacent coils. 
     
     
       17. The method of  claim 11 , wherein the helical groove comprises a linear axis through the implant. 
     
     
       18. The method of  claim 11 , wherein the distal tip comes into contact with the vertebral body from a perpendicular direction. 
     
     
       19. The method of  claim 11 , wherein the helical groove comprises a semi-circular inner surface. 
     
     
       20. The method of  claim 11 , further comprising engaging a second helically-shaped fixation device with a second helical groove of the implant.